Boston Dynamics will become a 100% subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai Motor Group decided to acquire the remaining equity held by Japan's SoftBank. The acquisition is expected to accelerate decision-making and business execution, giving further momentum to Hyundai Motor Group's physical artificial intelligence (AI) strategy and the commercialization of Robotics.
According to Hyundai Motor Group on the 16th, SoftBank exercised its put option (common stock sale right) this month on the Boston Dynamics equity it held under a contract signed in 2020. Accordingly, Hyundai Motor Group began reviewing specific procedures, the amount, and the allocation ratio by affiliate for acquiring the remaining equity. Once this equity purchase is completed, Hyundai Motor Group will secure 100% of Boston Dynamics' equity.
The Boston Dynamics equity held by SoftBank is known to be less than 10%. Beyond that, Hyundai Motor Group and Hyundai Motor Group Chair Chung Eui-sun hold more than 90% of the equity. HMG Global, an investment-focused corporation whose major shareholders are Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Hyundai Mobis, holds about 56%, Chair Chung holds 23%, and Hyundai Glovis holds 11%.
A Hyundai Motor Group official said, "As part of a long-term Robotics strategy, we have been reviewing ways to expand investment cooperation in Boston Dynamics," and added, "Going forward, Hyundai Motor Group and Boston Dynamics will continue to strengthen competitiveness in the Robotics business while pursuing synergy creation."
As Hyundai Motor Group strengthens its control over Boston Dynamics, the physical AI strategy is expected to gather speed. The pace of development and mass production of the Humanoid Robot "Atlas," external partnerships, and factory deployment could accelerate.
Starting in 2028, Hyundai Motor Group plans to deploy Atlas at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) and conduct validation by process unit. It will first be put into sequencing work for parts classification to secure field-operation validation and reliability, and from 2030, the scope of work will be expanded to parts assembly.
A Hyundai Motor Group official said, "Under the Robotics business vision 'AI Robotics, from the lab to life,' Hyundai Motor Group aims to develop robots into partners that advance humanity, based on physical AI centered on safety and quality, thereby helping expand human potential," and added, "We will pursue manufacturing innovation, build a global robot ecosystem, and expand a future industrial ecosystem in which Robotics, AI, and energy are organically integrated."